As 2025 draws to a close, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the DBT community for the unwavering support of DBT-LBC™ and the work that is being done across the globe to support clients and their loved ones. This year has been marked by connection, collaboration, and meaningful growth; momentum that sets the stage for an even stronger and more impactful 2026.
8th Annual Leadership, Strategies, and Future Direction Meeting
Over my six years as President, I’ve witnessed Marsha’s legacy come alive through the dedication and work of this community. In November we came together for our 8th Annual Leadership, Strategies, and Future Direction Meeting, a meeting devoted for reflection, innovation, and collaboration within the DBT-LBC™ community. This annual gathering unites our Board of Directors, Committee Chairs, and volunteers, providing an opportunity to connect, share wisdom, and shape the future of DBT-LBC™.
Each year, the meeting grows in significance as we strengthen relationships and align around our shared mission: expanding access to high-quality, evidence-based DBT and supporting those who deliver it with fidelity.
We were honored to have Professor Michaela Swales join us as our Guest Speaker. Professor Swales presented on The Dialectics of Delivery: Navigating Top-Down and Bottom-Up approaches of DBT implementation.
This year’s Breakout Groups engaged in dynamic discussions to envision the organization’s path forward, identify key priorities, and chart strategies that will guide DBT-LBC™ into the future.
Celebrating Tim Knettler and Welcoming Kristy Gatica
2025 also brought an important change in leadership. We celebrated the retirement of our Executive Director, Tim Knettler and welcomed Kristy Gatica as our new Executive Director. While we will deeply miss Tim’s guidance and vision, we are thrilled to have Kristy step in and take the reins, bringing her energy, expertise, and passion to lead DBT-LBC™ into its next chapter. You can read about Tim’s legacy with DBT-LBC™ here.
DBT-LBC™ Strategic Planning
DBT-LBC™ undertook a comprehensive Strategic Plan this year, refining our Mission, Vision, and Values and identifying four key goal categories to guide our work into the future. Our MISSION is to Increase access to DBT and uphold the highest standards of care and our VISION is to Have a world where DBT is delivered with fidelity, less suffering, more joy, and lives worth living. Grounded in our core values: FIDELITY: Fidelity to the Model; Integrity; Dedication to Education & Excellence; Equity; Leadership; Innovation; Trust; Yes to Building Lives Worth Living. We are focusing on four major goal categories: 1) Collaboration/Community/Partnerships, 2) Incentivizing/Compensation, 3) Education/Promotion, and 4) Expansion/Sustainability. These goals will serve as our roadmap for growth and impact, ensuring we sustain high-quality, rigorous certification standards that support clinicians and programs and directly benefit the communities we serve.
30th Annual ISITDBT
I had the privilege of presenting our 2025 updates at the 30th Annual ISITDBT Conference in New Orleans. You can learn more about the updates that were shared here.
Carrying the Momentum into 2026
As we step into 2026, DBT-LBC™ remains deeply committed to supporting clinicians and programs in delivering DBT with fidelity. Each day, you show up for people in their most challenging moments, helping them find hope and build lives worth living. Thank you for trusting the process, believing in the possibility of change, and bringing your dedication, creativity, and heart to this work.
I am honored to lead DBT-LBC™ alongside such a dedicated, inspiring community. Together, we’re not just delivering treatment, we’re saving lives. Here’s to carrying this momentum into 2026!
With deepest gratitude,
Dr. Kimberly Vay, LPC, CPCS
President, DBT-Linehan Board of Certification™
